London Prince William became the first British Royal Family to directly defend his family against allegations of racism by his sister-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband Prince Harry on Thursday in their interview with Oprah WinfreyWilliam told reporters that the royals are “not a racist family at all.”
While visiting a school in East London, Prince William added that he had not spoken to his brother Harry since the interview, but said he would.
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In the bombshell interview – which aired Sunday in the United States and Monday in the United Kingdom – Meghan said she had felt so isolated in the royal family that she had faced serious mental health problems, even considering suicide. She and Harry also said an unnamed member of the family had expressed concern about the color of their unborn son’s skin.
Buckingham Palace gave its first response to the interview with a on Tuesday 61-word explanation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.
“The whole family is sad to hear how challenging the past few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the statement said. “The issues raised, especially those of race, are concerning. While some memories may differ, they are taken very seriously and will be dealt with privately by the family. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be dear family members.”
But before the interview aired, the royal family made a statement saying they were investigate allegations of bullying by Meghan’s staff against her during her time as a working royal.
The Oprah interview has sparked fierce debate around the world about the royal family and the breed, and Dawn Butler, a member of the British Parliament from London, told CBS News’ Holly Williams on Wednesday that the royal family has existed. “.enveloped in a bubble of whiteness
“It’s an established racist trope against black women to call them a bully or to call them angry,” Butler said. “What Meghan dealt with is what black women have to deal with every day in the workplace.”
In response to the barrage of negative stories about Meghan in the British tabloids, Butler said the royal family had to answer for racism that took place during her watch.
“When an institution meets another institution, like the tabloid press, and they decide to reinforce that racist trope, that’s a problem. That’s structural racism, and that’s what we have to deal with in this country, and that’s what we need. The royal family institution must face the fact that they were complicit in reinforcing a racist trope against a black woman, ”said Butler.